Madagascar: The Northern Circuit
This sample private overland tour combines the exploration of northern Madagascar's spectacular Montagne d'Ambre and Ankarana national parks with a tropical island holiday.
Day 1
Depart from London Heathrow on the BMI flight to Paris CDG and connect with the Air Madagascar overnight flight to Antananarivo.
Day 2
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel to freshen up and relax for a few hours before your tour of the capital. Overnight Hotel Palissandre, breakfast included.
Day 3
Transfer to the airport for the Air Madagascar flight to Diego Suarez / Antsiranana. On arrival, you will be met and taken to Montagne des Francais for baobabs, a variety of small wildlife and the stunning views. If you have a particular interest in the World War II Battle of Madagascar, please let us know.
Continue to Joffreville to overnight at Nature Lodge, breakfast included.
Day 4
The entrance to Montagne D’Ambre National Park, is just a short drive - at any rate, in the dry season. You have as much of the day as you wish to explore this montane rainforest with your guide. Key species include Crowned and Sanfords lemur. Three of the Uroplatus leaf-tailed geckos occur here, as well as at least two Phelsuma day geckos. Among the commonly seen birds are the beautiful Pitta-like ground-roller, Spectacled greenbul, White-throated oxylabes, and Hookbilled vanga. The park is the sole site for the Amber Mountain rock-thrush. Nature Lodge Lodge, picnic lunch & breakfast included.
Day 5
After a last morning enjoying Montagne d’Ambre, your guide and your driver will drive you south to the remarkable Ankarana National Park. Overnight in simple, well-tended bungalows, all meals included.
Day 6 & 7
Two days in which to explore rugged Ankarana. Ankarana is suitable only for those who are reasonably fit. Choose between organised camping, equipment provided and the simple cases villageoises - both including all meals.
Day 8
After a final morning walk in Ankarana, you travel through the market town of Ambilobe and the cocoa plantations to the seaside village of Ankify. You say good-bye to your guide and your driver and board the boat for the short speedboat transfer to the southern coast of the island of Nosy Komba. Overnight at Jardin Vanille, dinner and breakfast included.
Day 9
Spend the day snorkelling (tides permitting), lazing on the white beach, exploring the local village, or climbing the forested slopes in search of Black lemur and Panther chameleon. Jardin Vanille, dinner and breakfast included.
Day 10
After breakfast, travel by boat to Nosy Be island to stay 3 nights in an ocean room at the Hotel Vanila, breakfast included.
Days 11 & 12
Between the facilities at the hotel and on the island of Nosy Sakatia opposite, you can enjoy a beach holiday here. We can arrange for you to visit the Lokobe Reserve, to go snorkelling at the marine reserve island, Nosy Tanikely, or a dive package .
Day 13
You will be taken to the airport for your flight back to Antananarivo. Visit the market and stop for an early supper (meal not included) before you check in for the Air Madagascar overnight flight to Paris.
Day 14
Arrive in Paris at 07h40 and connect with the flight to London. Arrive London Heathrow mid-morning.
Prices (2007): From £1765 (March) /£1925 (Apr - June & 5 Sept - 31 Oct) /£2175 (25 July - 17 August) per person sharing twin/double accommodation.
Price includes international and domestic flights, accommodation specified on a full-board basis, transfers, transportation, reserve permits and forest guides, services of a professional English-speaking guide.
Not included: visa, travel insurance, gratuities, items of a personal nature
SPECIAL VANILA HOTEL OFFER 10 JUNE - 24 JULY: Stay 5 nights and pay only for 4, an additional two days for only £37 per person sharing!
Updated 17 January 2007
Contact us
or phone (44) 20 7226 1004 for more information
